Thank you for sharing. We have moved the comments into their own thread to give your discussion the attention it deserves. It sounds like you are taking on quite the challenge!

This gantry with 5 moving heads (each has 2 or 3 axis for different movements) is one of many different machines that I made. Until recently I was not willing to show pictures of them because there were not up to some of my personal standards of being clean and streamlined. My latest 900 lb robot is basically what I'm talking about. All of the electronics are in an electronic enclosure that has the ability to be outside in the elements if needed. It has 9 axis and is very powerful and can easily pick up a 3/4" sheet of plywood. The 10 axis will move it side to side but haven't done that axis yet on this bot. On a previous 2 arm version I had it pick up 80lbs at 6 ft out. If this site can take in small videos I will post some of them. I'm not really into posting them into YouTube at this point. A few more of my machines are the automated wood lathe, automated metal lathe, standalone somewhat of a 3 axis cnc big drill for drilling out parts, garbage can robot that can haul large green garbage can to road and retrieve it, but I'm waiting for the new ARC on that one for very fast camera picture assessment. Robots (automated machines) making robot parts is what will eventually happen.

@Automation Man, it sounds like you've become a coding and robotics savant. I'm impressed and intrigued. I really hope you will find a way to post some video of your bots moving materials like you mentioned. That would be something to see. This Synthiam forum does not allow video uploads that I know of. I understand your reluctance to use Youtube. Lot's of people have issues with places like that and Facebook. Personally I have over 100 videos I made loaded up on Youtube and have never had any issues. It's very easy to use and you have the freedom to set many options of who can see it or how it's viewed. I have a few set to Private so only people I choose and send the address to can see it.

Thanks, Dave that was nice of you just to let you know when I was building that original automated latheI had to refer to your videos for the sabertooth to help figure it out. I have now since change it out to steppers and it is much more precise. There was a lot of head scratching over the years, figuring things out, but it has become much easier now.

Wow, you're always working on fun stuff. It's wild to picture how massive some of the things you're building are. The interesting part is the safety for me - making sure the robots don't run into each other or take down a wall . I like it when you share the stories and details of your work! It's great to read

Thanks Dj and I hear what you're saying about safety. I am now very comfortable with safety of the machines that I'm making. They are very precise and predictable. Early on there was a learning curve with Auto Position and steppers, but I've got it worked out now and do a lot of my type of programming. Have a hole in the ceiling when I did a calibration one time. The arm end to end is 9' 6" with gripper on one end and fingers on the other end so I need to calibrate it in the level position. The axis don't move on their own so even when power is off I have brakes that hold them in place. I've been to a lot of automation shows and future steps will have light curtain sensors. These are not intended to work side by side with people like cobots. Will start sending some pics soon.

Holy cow that’s much larger than I envisioned. Safety is sure a thing when you’re dealing with something that large.

I bet you have some funny stories about the robot almost knocking you to the floor haha